The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-10-07
INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FOR
GIRLS.

The Importance of Industrial train
ing for the young, especially for boys.
is receiving much attention by the
public press. But while hardly too
much can be said for boys. industrial
training for girls, if not of equal, is
certainly of next importance. The
necessity for this does not appear so
forcibly in country towns and villages
as in all the large cities, where multi
tudes of young women are having a
precariOus existence for want of en-
plOyment, for which they have never
been fitted by education. Women. &C
cordinc to the customs of society, are
much more dependent than men, and
many are almost entirely helpless
when required to earn their own sup
port; therefore the wonder isS: that
such contingencies are not provided
for by proper training in early life. In
the present condition of society,
women have fewer opportunities to
earn living than men. which is part
ly because of the restriction placed
upon them by the customs of society;
and partly because Of their disinclina-
ton to apply themselves to any kind
of practical business which is not in
woman's line. IA
1t may be said. probably without
exaggeration, that majority of young
women in every station, rich or poor,
are looking forward in expectancy of
some day having husband, and often
with too little regard of his ability,
coupled with her own, to make home
prosperous and enjoyable. Sensible
fathers and mothers are beginning
more fully to understand that educa-
tional reform in the training of girls
is wanted. and that instead of over
much music and the so called orna-
mental branches, they should be taught
more pertaining to the practical duties
OF life. The increasing number of
divorces applied for in The courts is
evidence that matrimonial life is often
i'll considered and no calculations are
made for the reverses of fortune.
When expectations of prosperity are
disappointed, property lost through the
fault perhaps of her husband in whom
confidence had been misplaced, and
when only poverty is the prospective,
it is not strange the wife is led to vio-
late her matrimonial vows and seek
deliverance. But her greatest misfor-
tune has yet to follow, provided she
has no trade for self-sustainment.
Here comes in the plea for the educa-
ton of girls to useful occupations, so
that when the day of adversely comes
they may be able to earn their support
without appeals to the charity of
friends. A rich father is no guaranteed
that his children may not unexpectedly
become poor Instances in point are
constantly occurring. During the past
year hundreds-perhaps thousands
of men of wealth have had their prop
erty swept away by unforeseen contin-
gencies to which many good business
men are liable. Girls and boys Graded
in the lap of luxury have been thrown
on the world tradeless, with no indus
trial occupation on which to depend.
In the families of those even in moder-
ate circumstances there is often an
aversion on the part of girls to do
housework. This is because false
sentiment does not regard it genteel.
1t is stated that in no country in Eu
rope, even among the wealthy classes,
is there anything like the prejudice
which prevails in this country against
domestic employment by young women
in the household. What has often
been said of boys-that they would do
well to learn a trade, though not in
tending to follow it, as changes may
come when they would find it a |
means of supports equally true of
girls.